GRIP: Swicorp Infra Capital (SIC), Tunis, Tunisia I stepped out of my taxi and into Lac II, the financial district that runs along the lake in Tunis. The building was tucked into a quiet corner, its glass windows catching the full force of the Tunisian sun. Inside, I was introduced to a small, close-knit office…
Contact Ask Me About… My experience is unique because, as an Egyptian born in America, I had always been connected to my roots but through the lens of my parents’ perspective. Every 8 years, we’d visit Egypt, staying primarily in the village where my family is from. These visits were special but often limited to…
Contact Ask Me About… Starting with GRIP: Power Up Gambia, my first-ever summer internship was also my first time working in Africa. What made this experience unique was learning how to navigate a completely new culture while carrying out my first professional role. I was adapting to new work expectations, living in a rural setting,…
Contact Ask Me About… As someone with Egyptian ancestry, I have always dreamed of traveling to Egypt and learning more about where my family came from. My grandfather came from Egypt to the U.S. in the 1950s and I have heard countless stories about his journey and determination for a better future for himself and…
Contact Ask Me About… Studying abroad is undeniably life-changing, but it also brings moments that can be difficult to hear about or experience firsthand. I would like to share my answer to the question: “What is a situation that was emotionally taxing, yet ultimately changed me?” When I was in Cape Town, I witnessed the…
GRIP: Power Up Gambia Madison Shelton, one of the Global Research and Internship Correspondents, shares her experience abroad during Summer 2025. Follow along with the group of correspondents on our blog and look out for their images on the @pennabroad Instagram feed. Hi everyone! It’s Maddie here checking in from The Gambia! I have spent a considerable amount of time in what is…
GRIP: Sustainable Development in Monteverde, Costa Rica Arriving in the country of ticos and ticas in the middle of the night trying to understand everything from the language to the unique ways of living felt surreal. Although I was completely lost at first, I soon encountered a kind taxi driver who patiently engaged with my…
GRIP: Social Impact in Buenos Aires, Argentina Coming from a Spanish-speaking household, I assumed that adjusting to life in Buenos Aires would be seamless. I spoke Spanish—so why wouldn’t I blend in like a local? That illusion was quickly shattered, even before I landed. On my flight, I sat next to a native Argentinian whose…
GRIP: Taipei City Government Upon arriving in Taipei, I was immediately struck by the vibrant energy of the city—the fast pace, the sounds, and the buzz of daily life. On my first day at the Department for Youth, I joined the other interns for orientation on the 9th floor of the Taipei City Government Office.…
GRIP: Nursing Research at Trinity College Dublin Being abroad has surprised me in many ways, but one of my main takeaways so far is the amount of growth that can happen in an international setting. Penn’s Global Research and Internship program has taught me so many things, even in the first few weeks of being…